7 Lessons I Learned in Iceland: A Photographic Journey to the Land of Ice and Fire

January 31, 2017

From all the places I´ve been to, there was one full of walks with nature and unique experiences. And here is the funniest thing – at the same time it was the most uncomfortable trip I´ve ever had. Cold wind, freezing weather, eternal rain, lack of fresh fruits&vegetables, little sleep and lots of driving, overpriced hotels and rare moments of sun. Nothing was good and yet everything was perfect…

So despite all, I can´t stop scrolling up and down every time I see my own pictures from Iceland, blinded by its natural wonders. Every time I open the folder “Iceland” on my computer, I feel like I´m living this travel story all over again – having another photographic journey to the “Land of Ice and Fire”.

Sometimes, while going through all the pictures and videos from Iceland – I can´t believe these places actually exist and I´ve seen them with my own eyes.

I thought of the most special and unique moments I had during this trip and what they have tought me. So, here you have my 7 personal conclusions: 7 Lessons I learned in Iceland. Cause, let´s be honest, when you stop and look around – this world is pretty amazing.

Lesson #1 The most beautiful and eye-catching symmetry is the symmetry of nature

Snæfellsnes peninsula

East Fjords

East Fjords

Mývatn Lake

Lesson #2 The sun shines not on us but in us:no matter how bad the day looks, there is always something good in every day

I remember this day, like it was yesterday. It was raining since we woke up around 7 a.m and rain drops on my window was the last thing I saw at night before I felt asleep. It was so hard to drive, do the sightseeing and take pictures with this weather… Nevertheless, we had quite a plan for one week in Iceland and no time to lose. So, there was an unexpected hour of sun in between, by the time we arrived to the Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon. One of the most beautiful moments of our trip happened during our worst day in Iceland. So going back to it now, I can´t even say it was “the worst day”, I remember only the shades of blue and the melting glaciers.

Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon

Skaftafell National Park

Lesson #3 Living in harmony with nature is possible

Always in groups of 3 – the mystery of icelandic sheep 😉 But what impressed me the most was the fact how free they were. While in the most parts of the world animals live closed up with the unique goal to serve human needs – in Iceland you understand that there are still places left where animals, humans and nature all co-exist in harmony. Of course, these creatures have also served human need for centuries. And yet you see them chilling around, curiously gazing at tourists and clearly enjoying their day.

Cuteness overload…

Skógafoss Waterfall/Being a sheep is Iceland is a risky business after all

Lesson #4 The black&white world is more beautiful as we might expect

Dyrhólaey

Reynisfjara

Lesson #5 There is no rainbow without a rain

Another rainy day and a beautiful rainbow spotted at Dettifoss Waterfall. The photo looks like a drawing, don´t you think so?

Dettifoss

P.s. couldn´t properly brush my hair for a week lol

Lesson #6 This world is full of places that are completely out of this world

Fjadrargljufur Canyon

Namafjall Hverir Mud Pots

Bruarfoss Waterfall

Lesson #7 Icelandic sunsets prove endings could be beautiful too…

Stykkishólmsbær

East Fjords

Hellnar

Snæfellsnes peninsula

Snæfellsnes peninsula

I love reading your comments and thoughts. Have you ever been to Iceland? What do you think of my 7 lessons, would you add something to the list?

Comments

One lesson that I would like to add in addition to the 7 amazing and inspirational lessons on your list.

Despite the misery and hardship you might have experienced in your journey, I believe it’s totally worth it and you might agree with me as well.

To experience adventure, we must be willing to be uncomfortable at times and enjoy what the nature has to offer. Good or bad. And let nature be our teacher as sometimes, we can experience and learn more from nature than we can ever learn from the books. Perhaps twenty years from now we might be more disappointed by the things that we didn’t do than by the ones we did do. It can be once-in-a-life-time experience!! 🙂

And without a doubt and as always, the beautiful sceneries captured in your eyes are just simply breathtaking!! Thank you for sharing!!

I’ve never been to Iceland, but it has been on my radar for some time. And because of your blog, now it makes me even more anxious to just pack it up and go [LOL]!!!

Thank you again my friend for sharing with us your amazing travelling experience over the years. Much appreciated!!

Wow so many amazing pictures! I want to visit all those locations. I am hoping to go to Iceland soon, so I have pinned this post to help me plan. I love how you tied the pictures to life lessons. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.

Oh Anna, your post stirred a lot of emotions in me! It charmed me, it made me think, it made me smile but it also excited me since I will be visiting Iceland in May. We are not going to be there for a long time (maybe that is an error) but I am looking forward to the trip since it is very different from what I have done before. Thanks for sharing the things you learned while in Iceland. I wonder what the country has in store for me. #TheWeeklyPostcard

My wife and I went two years ago. There literally is not a week that goes by that we do not long to return. I have been fortune to travel to many countries in my life, but nothing compares to Iceland. I am in love.

Wow! Stunning! I am desperate to go to Iceland and wondering if i can fit it in (holidays are lacking and funds even more so) as i really would love it (Norway is so far my favourite country in terms of pure beauty and I am wondering if Iceland may eclipse it!)

Pinned! And I have to say the photographs are stunning! #TheWeeklyPostcard

Such a great list with beautiful photos of one of my favorite countries. This makes me long to visit Iceland. I never noticed the sheep in threes 🙂 I think we were just so happy to see them staring at us. Iceland truly is an incredible country and you captured it here. We’ve been twice during the summer and never got to see the sunset.

Iceland is full of incredible places and natural wonders. I guess you could visit it 100 times and still end up in awe after every trip, while always discovering something new… I´d love to come back one day!

Meet Me At Lifestyle Crossroads

Anna

Passionate world traveler. Mom of a little girl. Positive thinker. Art enthusiast. Lover of good books and photography. Yogi. Enjoy connecting with interesting people from across the globe. Read more...